Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Inspiring Quotes *round of applause*

~ There is no 'I' in 'Team'. Success depends on group effort.. ~

~ Being defeated is often only a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.. ~

Monday, November 22, 2004

Last minute

Wasn't a very enjoyable weekend for me.. Not feeling good. :(

Went dinner with Joel's friend and we went Zouk for a while before we left to pick his mom up.. It was Pete Tong.. No crowds. Hmmm... Left before Tong can spin. Too tired to stay back and witness another disppointing act like Sasha! *yawn*

20 Nov 2004, my friend's baby is a month old. Was invited to "celebrate" his arrival. As usual, my dear friend, Edgar, called me the night before (19 Nov 2004) to inform me about it.. *haiz*

Edgar: "Jaime, tomorrow is my son's full month, are you free?"

Me: "EDGAR!!!! Why so last minute? Your wedding, you called me 3-4 days before and now your son's full month, you again called me so last minute..."

Edgar: "But you know that 20 Nov 2004 is my son's full month what..."

Me: "Even if i know, it doesn't mean you can call me and inform me so late...Haizzz.."

In the end? I still go because i don't have anything on.. And i went without any gifts..The baby's gift which i bought earlier is at my place.. Didn't had a chance to bring it along with me. But luckily, Edgar stayed near Joel, i can still bring the gift to him some other day! :)

Left Edgar's place to meet Espen.. Wasn't feeling so good.. Left Zouk early that night too.

Not feeling so good today too.. Guess i'm tired.. I need plenty of zzzz over the weekend to recover from the lack of zzz during working days. I'm not my usual self at all.. I feel tired the whole weekend and cranky when i'm left to watch tv and not knowing what are we doing later.. It's just not me..

Yawn.............. -.- zzzz

Friday, November 19, 2004

Tonight's Pete Tong....

A bit scared... Don't know how will his choice of music be.. Hope he's not like Sasha!

Anyway, no harm going since members can sign guest in! :)

Can you help me??!!

Have alot of issues in my mind recently... Can't think properly with all the issues jamming up "there"! Arghhhhhhh.......

Too many to list, here's a few! :p

We have make plans to go for a holiday in January 2005. Initially, we agreed on Krabi, but after much research, i realised that Krabi is slightly too expensive... (Yar, it's the peak season in Krabi now, so alot of hotels/resorts not cheap anymore!)

My next alternative, Redang Island! Beautiful beaches but too bad..... They are closed due monsoon season. The island will be open from March onwards.. *haizzzzz*

My next alternative (Boy, do i have alot of next alternative yar? :p ), Koh Phangan! Danny's recommendation, he wants to go for their Full Moon Party. Done some research, cheap beach bungalows but expensive air tickets!

How how? Krabi or Koh Phangan? :( Can't decide.. What say you?

Well, i have bigger issues compare to the "above"... That is, How to do more sales?!!!

I just "lost" a potential sales from my mom's friend's friend.. She just collected her keys for her new condo and she has intentions to get her unit renovated. But she has no wish to work with other Interior Design Firm because she agreed to let her friend do the job!! Oh man....! Well.. What can i do when some people are so firm about the decision they made? Giving an opportunity to us is giving herself a clearer picture of what decor is ideal for her condo. Anyway, since she's so determined and confident, all i can do is wished her all of the best!

On hand, i have a reward scheme for you guys! If you are interested and would like to earn some extra cash for this festive season, please send me an email and i will give you the details on how you can earn that "extra bit"! :) Cheers!
(Singapore market only!)

Thursday, November 18, 2004

When You Divorce Me, Carry Me Out in Your Arms

Someone forward this to me. Please read on....

On my wedding day, I carried my wife in my arms. The bridal car stopped in front of our one-room flat. My buddies insisted that I carry her out of the car in my arms. So I carried her into our home. She was then plump and shy. I was a strong and happy bridegroom.

This was the scene of ten years ago.

The following days were as simple as a cup of pure water: we had a kid, I went into business and tried to make more money. When the assets were steadily increasing, the affections between us seemed to ebb. She was a civil servant. Every morning we left home together and go home almost at the same time. Our kid was studying in a boarding school. Our marriage life seemed to be enviably happy. But the calm life was more likely to be affected by unpredictable changes.

Dew came into my life.

It was a sunny day. I stood on a spacious balcony. Dew hugged me from behind. My heart once again was immersed in her stream of love. This wasthe apartment I bought for her. Dew said, "You are the kind of man who best draws girls eyeballs." Her words suddenly reminded me of my wife. When we just married, my wife said, Men like you, once successful, will be very attractive to girls. Thinking of this, I became somewhat hesitant. I knew I had betrayed my wife. But I couldn t help doing so.

I moved Dew's hands aside and said, "You go to select some furniture, O.K.? I ve got something to do in the company. " Obviously she was unhappy, because I had promised her to go and see with her. At the moment, the idea of divorce became clearer in my mind although it used to be something impossible to me.

However, I found it rather difficult to tell my wife about it. No matter how mildly I mentioned it to her, she would be deeply hurt. Honestly, she was a good wife. Every evening she was busy preparing dinner. I was sitting in front of the TV. The dinner was ready soon. Then we watched TV together. Or, I was lounging before the computer, visualizing Dew's body. This was the means of my entertainment.

One day I said to her in a slight joking way, "Suppose we divorce, what will you do?" She stared at me for a few seconds without a word. Apparently she believed that divorce was something too far away from her. I couldn t imagine how she would react once she got to know I was serious.

When my wife went to my office, Dew had just stepped out. Almost all the staff looked at my wife with a sympathetic eye and tried to hide something while talking with her. She seemed to have got some hint.

She gently smiled at my subordinates. But I read some hurt in her eyes.

Once again, Dew said to me, "He Ning, divorce her, O.K.? Then we live together." I nodded. I knew I could not hesitate any more.

When my wife served the last dish, I held her hand. "I've got something to tell you", I said. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want to divorce. I raised a serious topic calmly.

She didn t seem to be much annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, "Why?" "I'm serious.." I avoided her question. This so-called answer turned her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, "You are not a man!" At that night, we didn t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer, because my heart had gone to Dew.

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. I felt a pain in my heart. The woman who had been living ten years with me would become a stranger one day. But I could not take back what I had said.

Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed
to be firmer and clearer.

A late night, I came back home after entertaining my clients. I saw her writing something at the table. I fell asleep fast. When I woke up, I found she was still there. I turned over and was asleep again.

She brought up her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but I was supposed to give her one month s time before divorce, and in the month s time we must live as normal life as possible. Her reason was simple: our son would finish his summer vacation a month later and
she didn t want him to see our marriage was broken.

She passed me the agreement she drafted, and then asked me, "He Ning, do you still remember how I entered our bridal room on the wedding day?" This question suddenly brought back all those wonderful memories to me. I nodded and said, "I remember." "You carried me in your
arms", she continued, "So, I have a requirement, that is, you carry me out in your arms on the day when we divorce. From now to the end of this month, you must carry me out from the bedroom to the door every morning. "

I accepted with a smile. I knew she missed those sweet days and wished to end her marriage with a romantic form.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. "No matter what tricks she does, she has to face the result of divorce", she said scornfully. Her words more or less made me feel uncomfortable.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. We even treated each other as a stranger. So when I carried her out for the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, "Daddy is holding mummy in his arms." His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly, "Let us start from today, don t tell our son." I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for bus, I drove to office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. We were so close that I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn t looked at this intimate woman carefully for a long time. I found she was not young any more. There were some fine wrinkles on her face.

On the third day, she whispered to me, "The outside garden is being demolished. Be careful when you pass there."

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I seemed to feel that we were still an intimate couple and I was holding my sweetheart in my arms. The visualization of Dew became vaguer.

On the fifth and sixth day, she kept reminding me something, such as, where she put the ironed shirts, I should be careful while cooking, etc. I nodded. The sense of intimacy was even stronger.

I didn't tell Dew about this. I felt it was easier to carry her. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. I said to her, "It seems not difficult to carry you now." She was picking her dresses. I was waiting to carry her out. She tried quite a few but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, "All my dresses have grown fatter." I smiled. But I suddenly realized that it
was because she was thinner that I could carry her more easily, not because I was stronger. I knew she had buried all the bitterness in her heart. Again, I felt a sense of pain.

Subconsciously I reached out a hand to touch her head.

Our son came in at the moment. "Dad, it s time to carry mum out." He said. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had been an essential part of his life. She gestured our son to
come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face because I was afraid I would change my mind at the last minute. I held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly, as if we came back to our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad.

On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. She said, "Actually I hope you will hold me in your arms until we are old. "

I held her tightly and said, "Both you and I didn't notice that our life was lack of such intimacy."

I jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my decision. I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door. I said to her, "Sorry, Dew, I won t
divorce. I'm serious." She looked at me, astonished. The she touched my forehead. "You got no fever." She said. I moved her hand off my head. "Sorry, Dew", I said, "I can only say sorry to you, I won t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn t value the details of life, not because we didn t love each other any more. Now I understand that since I carried her into the home, she gave birth to our child, I am supposed to hold her until I am old. So I have to say sorry to you. "

Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into cry. I walked downstairs and drove to the office.

When I passed the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet for my wife which was her favorite. The salesgirl asked me to write the greeting words on the card. I smiled and wrote, I ll carry you out every morning until we are old.

So sweet..... :)

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Superstars indeed!

HAPPY DEEPAVALI and SELAMAT HARI RAYA!

What a week, Deepavali on Wednesday 11 Nov 2004 and Hari Raya Puasa on 14-15 Nov 2004!

I wanted to get out of Singapore but..... I can't!! :( I have to save $$$ for my Krabi trip in January and i still have alot of debts to clear..

Well.. What to do? For the sake of Krabi, i have to make some sacrifices! :)

Last weekend suppose to be a happening week for us, with Armin Van Buuren and Sasha in Singapore shores.. Sadly, it turned out "HALF GOOD"! :(

Armin Van Buuren was GOOD! What can i say..? His music never fail our expectation.. His fans never fail him.. And his superstar status never fail his fans! A true superstar DJ who spun all the way to 5.30am when his gig was schedulded to end at 4am... What more do i have to say? AVB rocks!

Sasha.... Superstar DJ, lousy performance! Yes.. There's no doubt about it. His entry wasn't appealing. Standing in the dance floor for the past 15-20mins since his entry was never at all pleasant! Everyone was expecting a world class gig and... It turned out very bad!Basically a turnoff! Luckily, we still have our local very own talent, Tony Tay who gave a very consistent spin in Phuture.Whewww.......

Well, with Sasha's "marvellous" performance, Joel and i have sweared not to attend his Superstar gig anymore! We had a discussion about Sasha and we felt that Sasha should be more observant about the clubbers' reaction and be more ethical about his profession.. Basically he spun music pleasant to his ears. From where we are standing, we can see many clubbers standing around trying to adapt to his "new found" style. 15-20mins later, clubbers are still standing around searching for their lost soul in Zouk! Gradually, we see many clubbers leaving for home, disappointed! His unprofessional and unethical performance should be shunned!

Joel and i have also listed out all the Superstar DJs that never fail their fans! Paul Van Dyke, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten, Nick Warren, John Digweed and Paul Oakenfold. These are REAL Superstar DJs with great performance with each Singapore visit!

By the way, Tiesto was named World No 1 DJ, Paul Van Dyke World No 2 DJ and Amrin Van Buren World No 3 DJ! Look out for their performance! :)

Friday, November 12, 2004

Disgusted behaviour which shouldn't even exist!

Saw a terrible accident on Wednesday night... :(

Joel and me were making our way back to my place to catch Jurrasic Park 3 on tv. As we were approaching a junction (towards BKE), we noticed this lorry stopping at the traffic light. Nearer to the lorry, i noticed someone is suffering from 'SPASM' or 'FITS' at the pedestrian traffic light area!

Me: "Dear, looked!!"
(pointing at the guy rolling on the floor..)

Joel: "Dear, quick, call 995!"

As i was searching frantically for my mobile, i looked around hoping some passerby will help him. Saw this guy standing near the 'Spasm' guy on his mobile.. (At that point of time, we were right behind the lorry, so me can see the 'Spasm' guy rolling on the ground..)

Me: "Dear, i think someone called 995 already.."
(But me having doubts at that time, whether did that passerby really call 995 or his friends about the 'Spasm' guy..)

We swerved to the extreme right trying to make our way to BKE when suddenly, we saw something laying on the ground about 2-3M away from the lorry.. A Malay lady laying face down with her helmet on and her knee twisted! O H M Y G O O D N E S S !!!!!

I freaked out! I wanted to get out of the car and help her.. But given no paramedic experience and the traffic situation behind us, i can't help her much..... Her situation was bad. Her left knee was dislocated and she was in her "touch down" position.. Moving or touching her will endanger her life.. Saddened by her plight, i started searching for my mobile again(You know when you are looking for something urgent, you will never tend to find it in time!)..

As we were turning out of the accident area (due to traffic behind, we can't stop the car in the middle of the road), i saw PEOPLE pointing at her!

WHAT'S UP WITH YOU PEOPLE?!! IS IT VERY ENTERTAINING? WHY ARE YOU GUYS STANDING THERE??!! GO HELP SIGNAL THE ONCOMING DRIVERS ABOUT HER PRESENCE!

The lady is so badly injured that she can't even move..! The least we can do is help or protect her from the oncoming traffic.. If one of the drivers is not paying attention, he/she would have ramp over the poor lady! Instead, you see more people gathering around, talking about her and the whole accident.... Such behaviours shouldn't even exist in our lives!

Selfish SINGAPOREANS! You should be ashamed....!!! Shame on you!

If i can't be of any help, i will at least not "point" at the victims and discuss about who or what went wrong! As we turned, we saw an ambulance flashing its way through to the accident...Whewwwww... Big Big Relief!! I hope she's okay..

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Aiishiteru By Elisa and Allan

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I present you....... AIISHITERU

Are you a trend starter? Would you want to own a one-of-a-kind designer hand-made bags?

Are you an art lover? Would you want to hang the masterpieces in your office/home/shop to beautify and glorify your space?

Visit this BRAND NEW online shopping experience @ AIISHITERU.

An online shopping created by this very lovey talented couple who have a passion of bringing you their finest creations! Decorative and Inspirational paintings by ALLAN and Originative and Exquisite Bags and Accessories by ELISA..

Love them or hate yourself! :p

A pile of non-biodegradable rubbish

Been busy recently with alot of issues @ work.. Employment, administration, marketing... *Haizzz*

Setting up a business is easy. Just go to ROC and pay a fee of $50 and "violaaa"... You're a boss.

In actual fact, it's easier said than done! :/

Yes, setting up a business is easy, but managing the Company and your staff is the most difficult part! Being a boss you gotta make sure the staff you employed are capable and result-oriented. I have seen quite a few boasting about their capability and motivation and in the end..? Their capability was only a pile of non-biodegradable rubbish in the field..

I never like communicating with my boss in the past, unless i have issues i can't solve or when a helping hand is needed. To me, bosses are people who pay workers like me and you to get things up and running for the Company. If i can, i will try to stay away from trouble and keep a low profile in the Company.. But in recent months, i realise bosses maybe on top of the hierarchy but deep down in their heart, they have so much worries and fears!

MY (current) BOSS is a very easy-going boss.. In another word, "chin cai"! I have seen staff holding him by his neck, taking advantage of his situation and position. I was like "Wowww, can they do that? Are they aware that he's the Salary Master?" I don't understand.. Why do people take advantage of their boss? I don't take advantage of my boss because i don't like communicating with him/her...! I don't like apple-polishing my boss just to get his/her attention or get promoted, it's against my principle. Don't these people have their own principle/dignity???

Let me ask you a question: Would you ever consider working for your friend in his/her Company? Your friend is your superior/boss/salary master.. Would you?

IF he/she is my boss, i will not even consider... Why? Simple.. I don't know whether you realise this or not, but i find it very difficult to work with friends who are your superior.. There will be disagreement when both opinions are different, no matter how good friends you are with each other. And there will be this huge arguement which may turn sour and in the end, you can't or won't be as close friends as before.. Seen and read alot of such happenings.. That's why till now, i don't work for my friends who will be my boss.

FYI, my current boss is Joel's brother, it's their family business. Why am i in such situation? Because i believe i can make things happen, as of now! Beside, Joel is my BF and his brother is Joel's family and Joel is my family... So what am i? Definitely not a scheming, money-hungry "friend" who's taking the Company for a hell ride! :)

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

November Dance Events not to be missed!

MY OH MY OH MY.... This November is such a sweet month for all SGP clubbers! Why? Big big names will be in Singapore shores for a SPIN!! :) Yeaaahhhhh....

Credit? Zouk, of course!

06 Nov 2004 - BE YOURSELF with DANNY TENAGLIA
from 10pm till.... (our call!)
-Members cannot sign in guests but our guests will be given priority entry to purchase tickets.
-Happy Hour limits to 1st 300.
-$18 before 10pm while stocks last. $25/$30 after.

12 Nov 2004 - GODSKITCHEN with ARMIN VAN BUUREN
-Members cannot sign in guests but our guests will be given priority entry to purchase tickets.
-Happy Hour limits to 1st 300.
-$15 before 10pm while stocks last. $2/$28 after.

14 Nov 2004 - Zouk & Manhattan Card present SASHA
-Members cannot sign in guests but our guests will be given priority entry to purchase tickets.
-1st 150 Manhattan Card members & a guest enjoy complimentary entry before 12am.
-Happy Hour limits to 1st 300.
-$15 before 10pm while stocks last. $2/$28 after.

19 Nov 2004 - MTVcard present PETE TONG
-Members cannot sign in guests but our guests will be given priority entry to purchase tickets.
-Free and priority entry for 1st 300 MTV cardmembers before 12am.
-$15 before 10pm while stocks last. $23/$28 after.

27 Nov 2004 - JOHN DIGWEED
-Members cannot sign in guests but our guests will be given priority entry to purchase tickets.
-Happy Hour limits to 1st 300.
-$15 before 10pm while stocks last. $23/$28 after.

And not forgetting our ZOUKOUT 2004!Check the DJ list... Sweet!
04 Dec 2004 @ Tanjong Beach by Zouk - Zoukout 2004
with PAUL VAN DYK, TIMO MAAS, SEB FONTAINE, SATOSHI TOMIIE, JOE CLAUSSELL, MIGUEL MIGS and LISA SHAW
-Tickets available for purchase from 22oct2004.
-$28 Advance Happy Hour before 9pm entry, available for students and NSF personnel.Limit 2000 tickets. To be purchase @ Zouk only.
-$38 before 3Dec2004.
-$48 at venue.

*All above information are subject to change without prior notice.. OR it could be i accidentally overlook their details!* :)

Monday, November 01, 2004

Huang Na's found, Joy and Grief!

"The search for missing 8-year-old Huang Na drew to a close yesterday in the worst possible way: Her naked body was found badly-decomposed, unrecognisable and stuffed into a box less than half her size..." (Abstract from Straits Times 01Nov2004)

What the H E L L is wrong with Took Leng How (The man who killed Huang Na)?!!

She's only 8 and a harmless child.. Found dead, badly decomposed and naked in a cardboard box! What harm has she done so badly that trigger this crazy bastard to kill her? Why is he behaving like an animal when he himself is married with a child? Get this straight in your head.. She's found naked!! OH MY GOODNESS.. A child who has not even reach the age of puberty! What does he wants from her? To make some quick bucks from her? This is TOO MUCH! I can't imagine the pain Huang Na is suffering (hours) before her death...

"Took Leng How's father had denied from the start that his son was involved, clung to that view and said that if he really did kill Huang Na, why would he turn himself in.. He may have given the information on where to find Huang Na, but that doesn't mean he killed the girl.." (Abstract from Straits Times 01Nov2004)

I don't know what's the real reason behind this ruthless killing of Huang Na.. Whether is it Took Leng How or not, what's done has been done.. There is no way of turning back time. Saying so much now won't bring the child back to life... An innocent life is lost due to someone's obsession, insanity, fascination, madness, desire or psychopathy actions!

Now that she has been found, we should rejoice.. What's wrong with me? NOTHING!! Why should we rejoice when Huang Na's returns is not a joyful one? Simple.. She's back home, reuniting with her grief-filled mom! Her disappearance has caused her mom so much grief that she's on the verge of going crazy.. And physically it's a torture for her mom. We should be glad that her body is found as a whole! Although the poor girl is dead, her death will provide evidences for the Forsenic and the Police to charge the murderer in court. Let the murderer pay his moment of foolishness in the Justice of Laws!